COLORADO—The Rocky Mountain Research Station and Region 4 began the Science Partner Program in 2016 by pairing managers and scientists together to work on critical management questions in advance of decisions and forest planning. Now, five years into this pilot program, the station and region continue to find success both in terms of outcomes on the ground and in development of scientist-manager relationships. Fostering solid connections between the people and the branches of the organization is important in integrating science into land management.

The Science Partner Program makes these connections through small groups of scientists and managers working on specific questions and problems together. For example, the Greys River Pollinator Inventory partner group has been working to provide a baseline to inform management decisions in recognition of the crucial role pollinators play and the threats facing them. The Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems partnership is another example of partners working to increase the knowledge of these ecosystems across the region, integrate it into their revised forest plans and create a Sustainable Spring Development Guide.

While most relationship building has happened at field sites and in person in the past, this year partner groups have successfully adapted to the new normal—working together virtually. On Feb. 11, station scientists and Region 4 forest and regional office staff held their annual Science Partner Workshop online. During the workshop, existing groups gave progress updates from the past year. Scientists and managers interested in learning more about the program or joining a new collaboration also attended, proving that there is a lot of interest in these types of partnerships. A strong showing of support by Forest Service leadership enhanced attendees experience and encouraged continuation and expansion of the program.

New initiatives were introduced through a “pitch session” to identify where science and management need to come together moving forward. In addition, existing partnerships between the station or region and other entities were invited into the partner program. Examples include a current collaboration between Region 4 and NASA (Repeat Photography for Land Management), ongoing since 2019, and a partnership between the station and Utah State University (Western Aspen Alliance), ongoing since 2008.

Nehalem Clark, station science delivery lead and the Science Partner Program co-lead, said, “The fact that we had more than 90 people attend this year is really a testament to the interest in pairing science and management. This is truly a build it and they will come moment.” Clark is currently leading the effort to publish a road map for the Science Partner Program, expected in spring 2021.

Natalie Little, regional co-lead for the program, is developing communication platforms to assist with streamlining partnering efforts and to provide greater understanding of the program and what it brings to the agency. Little and Val Gonzales, the region’s Resource Assistant Program collaborator, are developing a story map that will serve as a companion to the science partner road map.